Nomination Day Surprises

Last Updated: 23/04/13 @ 8:30 pm

Today is Nomination Day and we see a number of surprises indeed. By noon time, the announcements will be officially made. Here are some news around the Internet and comments accorded. It will be updated when the Official information is made available.

1. Pandan

Incumbent Ong Tee Kiat has stayed out of the nominations but his ex-private secretary (ex because he apparently resigned last night) filed his as an Independent. Malaysians can see that this is brewing to be a proxy fight against PKR’s Rafizi and MCA’s Gary Lim.

2. Pasir Mas

Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali confirmed his nomination as an Independent after being left out of the BN list. However, Umno’s Che Johan refrained from filing his nomination papers making this a straight fight with PAS Nik Abduh. So, Umno had to do this longwinded way to save face to avoid direct linkage to Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali and stepping aside for him in acknowledging Tun M’s endorsement of this man. There are two Perkasa men in the election this time, the other being Zul under Umno’s banner.

Update: Che Johan has been called to answer an internal Umno investigation as he did not submit his papers. It was understood that he may be sacked for not filing his papers under Umno.

3. DAP uses Rocket with RoS Approval

Lim GE tweeted that RoS hand delivered a letter stating they have no objections to the Rocket symbol being used in the GE13. All EC posts appears to have accepted the DAP nominations with the Rocket symbol. DAP was ready to use PAS and PKR symbols.

4. Teratai

Incumbent Jenice Lee stepped in as an Independent after she was dropped by DAP in favor of a relatively unknown Tiew Way Keng. She tweeted that she was willing to rejoin DAP if she wins.

Updated: Jenice apologizes to Karpal Singh as she is determined to stand as an Independent to defend her seat. She is duly sacked from DAP.

5. Large number of Independent Candidates

There were a very large number of Independents who filed their nomination papers by the close of the session. Only a very small number of seats will see a straight fight. Time will tell if most of them will withdraw soon enough.

6. Kota Laksamana

A DAP parliamentary candidate for Kota Melaka submitted his nomination to stand as an Independent for the Kota Laksamana state seat. He is the second DAP member to defy the leadership and stands to be sacked. This is quite unbecoming of Sim and has thrown a spanner into the DAP and PR’s position to win more seats.

Updated: Sim announced that he has pulled out as an Independent for the Kota Laksamana seat.

7. Kuala Kangsar

Umno Wanita Deputy Chief resigned and submitted her papers to stand as an Independent for this Parliamentary Seat. She had publicly disagreed with Najib’s recommendation for her to stand in a state seat. She will fight Umno Wan Mohammad and PAS Khalil Idham Lim.

Updated: Kamilia denied that she was ever offered a seat as claimed by Najib. She is duly sacked from Umno along with a number of others who also filed to run as Independents.

8. Mas Gading

Incumbent Dr Tiki Lafe filed his papers as an Independent and poised to fight against BN/SPDP Anthony Nogeh and candidates from PKR and STAR. His declaration that he is BN-friendly has been rubbished by SPDP who kicked him out a while back.

9. Alor Mengkudu

Fadzil Hanafi of Umno filed his papers as an Independent candidate this morning causing ripples in the State Umno office. He will fight against the Umno and PAS candidates.